Mutterings of a Mad Woman

Maggie speaks in a language that sounds like squirrel-jibberish to me. Her voice is soft, friendly, and not too high but definitely feminine.

She wears a scarf to keep her unruly hair - with bangs that grow down the middle of her face - in place on windy days (and even not-so-windy days).

She chatters and chitters as she walks along, collecting items for her daily craft project: some beach glass, a bit of long grass, perhaps some feathers left behind from a passing robin. For good measure, she gathers some dandelion for afternoon tea, and perhaps the petals can be used in her creation as well.

She doesn't usually plan ahead when it comes to her crafting. Often, she decides what to make once she's gotten her inventory home and spread out on the kitchen table. Besides, the final product isn't what's important, rather the journey to get there. When she looks at the birdhouse made from sticks and seashells, she sees a day at the beach well spent with a friend and a picnic lunch. As she uses the pot holder made from woven grasses, she smiles at the memory of almost losing her sandal in the pond as she plucked the long blades free.

Her creations are memories materialized. And isn't that a lovely way to decorate.

I've been able to complete a number of figures this past week (thank goodness) in a flurry of productivity. FanExpo/Festival of Fear is a month away, and for once I'd like to pretend I'll have enough made to take a breather before the big event (a ghoul can dream).

I have 3 Plague Doctors on the table, 5 unpainted plants, 2 unpainted Minions, and scores more to complete. I've harvested mini pumpkins, and even come up with a new idea that I'll test out at the show (if they sell well, I may make a bunch for the fall). More on that tomorrow.

For now, let me introduce you to the latest Little Minion.

An academic, Clay spends most of his time shuttling from lecture to lecture, and studying into the night

He conducts experiments and has a real passion for potion brewing.

I tried to learn more about him, but he shushed me without even looking up from his notes.

Don't do business with Cyril. He's a swindler and a liar without any sense of remorse for his underhanded dealings.

It's surprising how many are taken in by his promises and that big grin. But then again, only the desperate seek him out, and desperation dulls logic.

He coos and coddles, assuring them they've made a wise decision coming to him.

Discretion is assured, until he uses the secret to blackmail.

Contracts available for the tentative. Even if they were worth the paper they were printed on, Cyril has a talent for fine print. Be careful what you ask for, since he bends and wields wording to his benefit.

He tends to his small garden at the edge of the river with a devotion only true green-thumbs can appreciate. He dotes on all his plants, but he's especially fond of his pumpkin patch which is responsible for producing all the pumpkins to decorate the festival.

At night, he'll tie a copper plate to his head with a lit candle perched on top to help him work by moonlight in his beloved garden, polishing the pumpkins, weeding, shooing away any little critters who might mistake his masterpieces for a midnight snack.

I've been so busy getting ready for shows that I've forgotten to post any of my finished creations. Now that Scarefest is finished I can concentrate on preparing for FanExpo/Festival of Fear in August.

I was able to complete my creature bio journal beforehand which was no easy task. I purchased a gorgeous journal with a raised silver design on the cover. In it, I placed more than 40 photos and hand wrote an equal amount of short bios, one for each of my Minions and Dark Dwellers. I wanted to create a sort of portfolio that felt more like something you might stumble across in an attic.

The fact that it took hours upon hours to complete, and it turned out so well, and it's a rather expensive journal to begin with, I'm actually a bit concerned someone might walk off with it at the bigger shows/conventions when the place is packed. I'm going to have to devise a tie down of some sort just for piece of mind.

In this book you'll find some of my new figures, including these two.

First is Hoggart, a greed demon who takes whatever a person covets most.

He may even influence outcomes to ensure what we crave is finally within our hands only to have the satisfaction of taking it from us, and devouring it.

I have some news regarding Scarefest I want to share with you. I mentioned recently that I would be a vendor at Scarefest, a backyard BBQ Haunter Tradition for many years in Ontario. This year the organizer arranged a park space so even more haunters and vendors could attend. It was the next step in evolution for the beloved event which continues to grow.

The City of Vaughn (where the park is) contacted the organizer after they received an anonymous complaint regarding Scarefest:

"This individual who called in took the time to educate the Municipal Officials on our Scarefest web site, pointed out how many vendors we had attending and what they were being charged for a booth, inquired if we had all the proper permits for the park, and asked how all the residents in the neighborhood would feel about all the additional cars on the street." (You can read the full story on Facebook).

At about 4 inches in height (not including the party hat) it's like evil concentrated.

There's a few of them on the table waiting to be finished.

We'll see if people like them at this year's shows.

Speaking of which, I'll be at Scarefest on July 7th. It's an outdoor Haunter Convention in Thornhill ON. BBQ, over 30 vendors/exhibitors, and all for free (though they ask for a donation for Sick Kids Hospital).

Bring your family. Bring your dog. Monkey Boo will be there too for at least part of the day!